Polish Authority Probes Potential Employer Collusion in Lower Silesia

Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched an investigation into suspected collusion among employers in the Lower Silesia region. As part of the probe, UOKiK officials, with court approval and police support, searched the premises of several companies in the Bolesławiec and Wrocław counties.

The companies involved include Toyota Boshoku Poland, Toyota Boshoku Europe, Bader Polska, Gerresheimer Bolesławiec, and Hoerbiger Automotive. UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny stated that employers operating in the local market share the same pool of employees and compete for them. Agreements that prevent or hinder employees from changing employers are seen as a restriction of competition, particularly harmful to local communities by limiting job mobility regardless of qualifications.

The authority is examining whether these companies agreed on wage levels, employee benefits, or refrained from hiring employees from competing firms. The suspicions extend to companies across various sectors, including industrial production, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and logistics, which may compete for the same workforce despite different business profiles.

Currently, the investigation is being conducted as an inquiry, not against specific companies. If evidence confirms the suspicions, UOKiK may initiate antitrust proceedings and bring charges. Companies found guilty of participating in anti-competitive agreements could face fines up to 10% of their annual turnover, and responsible managers could be fined up to 2 million Polish złoty.

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Entrepreneurs operating on the local market have access to the same pool of employees and compete for them. Therefore, joint agreements that prevent or hinder changing employers constitute a restriction of competition. This is particularly harmful to local communities, as it does not allow for a change of workplace, regardless of possessed or acquired qualifications.